Towing a lane line

After a 2 hour weight workout we hit the pool this morning for a 45 minute power set.  The 6 sprint freestylers were directed to race each other in teams of 3.  Not relays but literally three people per lane, one behind the next.  The first person would tow the other two from surgical tubing connected to a belt at his waist.  You may have to see it to understand but it went something like this:

1st Guy: Swims all out for 35 meters wearing a belt and 20' of surgical tubing looped at the end for the second guy to hold onto

2nd Guy: Exerts no energy, just streamlines while holding onto the surgical tubing. He is also wearing a belt with tubing in the same manner as 1st guy

3rd Guy: Exerts no energy, just streamlines while holding onto the surgical tubing. He is also wearing a belt with tubing in the same manner as 2nd guy

Since there were 7 sprinters, I was chosen to do something different, which I was ok with.  The coach gave me the same belt as the other swimmers however he attached 24 feet of lanelines to the end.  I knew it would be tough to swim all out for 35 meters towing all that plastic through the water.  It was indeed a difficult task.  I was starting to slow down like I do at the end of 100 meters once I hit 30 or so meters but I powered through it.

Since it had never been tried before, the coach asked how hard it was.  I responded that it was tough, much like pulling a 1/3rd full bucket.  He asked if we should add more lanelines, I responded "yes".  He took out another 12' reel and hooked it up.  I had about 36' of laneline behind me at this point.  I had to tow it 35 meters as fast as possible.  I didn't get timed but I'm sure it took a good 50 seconds.  I just barely crossed that 35 meter mark and finally shut it down after 3 of these sets.  I felt like I just raced 100 meters a few times.  It was brutal.  I needed a long cool down to work all that lactate out of my muscles.  Rough morning!